Four men suspected of trafficking items stolen from downtown Seattle stores were arrested last week as part of a crackdown on property crime in Seattle's downtown core.

For two months, undercover officers followed the men to darkened alleyways, restaurant booths and alcoves around downtown, where they exchanged small amounts of cash for stolen goods.

The operation came as part of an effort by the West Precinct to address car prowling and shoplifting in downtown Seattle. Investigators identified a small group of men buying stolen items around 3rd Ave. and Pike Street.

Police believe the traffickers were targeting low-level drug users and employing them to steal items, and paying them a tenth of an item's value.

When undercover officers posing as thieves approached the traffickers on the street, they gave the officers shopping lists of clothing items, even specifying the size and color they wanted.

Investigators served search warrants at two apartments in Burien, a trailer in Federal Way and a home in Renton and arrested the four suspects.